Surface treatment

Details Surface treatment Surface treatment

2000-01-07

2001-02-13

Cameron, Erma (Department: 1762)

Coating processes

With post-treatment of coating or coating material

Heating or drying

C427S389900, C427S393400, C427S435000, C427S439000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06187383

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to treating surfaces of substrates. More particularly, the invention relates to treating the surfaces using a carbon dioxide fluid. The method is particularly useful for imparting stain resistance to fabrics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a number of industrial applications, it is often desirable to treat the surface of an article or substrate in order to protect the substrate from contaminants. This typically includes controlling and enhancing the barrier properties of a surface to, for example, oils, grease, lipophilic materials, water, hydrophilic solutions, and dirt. Examples of such applications include SCOTCH GUARD® and STAIN MASTER® surface coating materials for textile articles such as furniture, clothing, and carpets to impart resistance to staining, and also treating articles formed from metal such as precision parts. It is often desirable to apply a surface treatment to an article in order to protect an article from foreign matter while also preserving the desirable physical properties of the article. With respect to textile-related articles for example, it is particularly desirable to maintain aesthetic properties relating to hand, drape, and texture.
For the most part, organic solvents such as hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have been employed in treating various substrates. Recently, however, the use of these solvents has been increasingly disfavored due to heightened environmental concerns. As one alternative, aqueous-based systems have been proposed for treating various articles. The use of the aqueous-based systems, however, also suffers from possible drawbacks. For example, contacting an article with water often adversely affects the physical properties of the article. For example, the texture and drape of a textile can be negatively impacted, or flash rusting of metal parts may occur due to water contact. Additionally, many low surface energy materials are largely insoluble in water, and must be formulated into emulsions or suspensions (an inherent disadvantage of aqueous systems). Moreover, water of suitable quality for use in coating and impregnation is becoming less available and more expensive.
CO
2
-based dry cleaning systems that contain surfactant molecules (particularly molecules having a CO
2
-philic group are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,683,473; 5,676,705; and 5,683,977, all to Jureller. The purpose of the surfactant molecule proposed in the Jureller patents is to carry away soil from the fabrics, rather than to become deposited upon, and seal soil to, the fabric. Surface treatment is, accordingly, neither suggested nor disclosed.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of treating and/or impregnating a substrate which does not require the use of organic solvents or water.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of impregnating a substrate which minimizes adverse affects to the physical properties of the substrate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a substrate. The method comprises contacting, preferably by immersing, a surface of the substrate with a pressurized fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component. The surface treatment component is entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacts the surface so that the surface treatment component lowers the surface tension of the surface of the substrate and treats the substrate. Surface treatment components comprising fluoroacrylate polymers (including copolymers thereof) are preferred. The fluid is preferably a liquid or supercritical fluid.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of imparting stain resistance to a fabric. The method comprises immersing the fabric in a pressurized fluid containing carbon dioxide and a surface treatment component. The surface treatment component is entrained in the pressurized fluid and contacts the fabric to lower the surface tension of the fabric. The surface treatment component is deposited on the fabric, and the carbon dioxide separated from the fabric so that the surface treatment component remains deposited on the fabric, thus rendering the fabric stain resistant.


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